Lincoln Birthplace leader transferring to Shiloh | News

“Catherine is an accomplished leader with a wealth of NPS experience and a track record of success,” Foust said in the release. “Her ability to foster collaboration and teamwork between communities, park partners and NPS staff makes her an excellent choice to lead Shiloh National Military Park.”

Bragaw joins Shiloh from Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park in Hodgenville, which she led as superintendent since 2019. During her time there, Bragaw forged collaborative partnerships, worked closely with the community, launched special event initiatives, grew the park’s youth program and worked with park staff on numerous facility projects, including the rehabilitation and opening of Knob Creek Tavern Visitor Center.

“It is my honor and privilege to be selected for the superintendency of Shiloh National Military Park, one of the earliest preserved Civil War Battlefields in the nation,” Bragaw said in the release. “The story of the land is rich and diverse. I look forward to working with staff, stakeholders, Tribes, partners and the community in building on the work of the past and continuing to preserve the land and tell its story.”

She also served as acting superintendent at Camp Nelson National Monument and Mill Springs Battlefield National Monument, both in Kentucky.

A 41-year National Parks Service veteran, Bragaw began her career as a volunteer at Harpers Ferry National Historical Park in West Virginia, where she helped build one of the service’s most respected living history programs and an award-winning education program, the release said. Bragaw’s career has also taken her to Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park in Maryland, where she served as, supervisory park ranger and chief of interpretation, education and volunteers.

She also completed a detail as acting superintendent at Women’s Rights and Harriet Tubman National Historical Parks in New York.

Originally from Washington, D.C., Bragaw earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Hood College and a master’s degree in educational leadership from West Virginia University. She also taught as an adjunct professor in the School of Public History at Shepherd University.

The superintendent position at Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park is expected to be posted soon to begin the search, said Stacy Humphreys, chief of interpretation and resource management at the park.